Sony posts net loss in Q2, adjusts profit forecasts down

Sony counterbalanced a profitable first quarter with net loss of ¥19.3 billion in the second, converting to around $197 million. That represents a 24.5 percent year-on-year increase in Q2 net loss, despite a revenue boost attributed to currency exchange gains and increased smartphone sales. Significantly, the company adjusted its net profit forecast for the fiscal year down by 40 percent to ¥30 billion, or $305 million, due to decreased expectations for sales of "certain electronic products."

As for the PlayStation division, there's no indication those decreased expectations apply to the PS4. Sony expects to ship a combined total of 15 million PS4 and PS3 units by the end of March 2014. At the Tokyo Game Show, SCE President Andrew House said his company was aiming to sell 5 million PS4 units specifically within that time frame. Regards the PS3, Sony shipped 2 million units worldwide across the three months of July to September.

The PlayStation division also benefited from exchange gains, with revenue increasing 5.1 percent year-on-year to ¥155.7 billion, or $1.59 billion. Overall figures for PS3, PS2, and PSP units decreased year-on-year in Q2, although PS3 software shipments did rise. Meanwhile, the Vita price cuts announced in August contributed to an operating loss around ¥800 million, converting to $8 million.